Muskegon federal benefit recipients need to switch to electronic benefits by March 1

WEST MICHIGAN – People receiving federal benefits will need to switch to electronic benefits by March 1, when the Department of Treasury stops sending paper checks.

The change will affect residents who receive paper checks from Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Veterans Affairs, the Railroad Retirement Board, the Office of Personnel Management and the Department of Labor’s black lung program.

As of late October, about 8.5 percent of Muskegon County residents who receive federal benefits were still receiving paper checks. To continue receiving benefits, they will need to sign up for direct deposit or a debit card.

The change is expected to save taxpayers $1 billion over 10 years and will prevent checks from being lost or stolen. Recipients don’t need a bank account to use the debit card, which has no fees, according to the U.S. Department of Treasury.

People receiving checks can sign up to have funds deposited directly to their bank accounts or to receive a debit card by calling 1-800-333-1795 or visiting www.godirect.org.